Means for stoppering and opening fluid containers or vessels



H. M. SLNIQND` FiledJune 5, 1956 MEANS FOR STOPPERING AND OPENING FLUID CONTAINERS OR VESSEL-4S' Jan. 10, 1939. n A

n avi/aww# Jan. d1o, 1939.

H. M. sALMoND MENS FOR STOPPERING AND OPENING FLUID CONTAINERS OR VESSELS ,Filed Jue 3, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 l M2770 [Y Jm;1o,1939. H M'SALMOND 42,143,132

MEANS FOR STOPPERIINGAND OPENING FLUID `CONTAINERS 0R VESSELS.

N Filed June s, 195s. 4 sheets-sheets :ALU

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Jan.10,1939. H.M SALMOND l 2J43J32 MEANS` FOR STOPPERING AND OPENING VFLUID CONTAINERS ORVESSELS Filed June 5, 195e 4sheets-sheet 4 :I: zii-..1 E :l: E1. .l

IN VEN TOR.

Pumas Jui. 1o. 193e` .UNITED STAT fire extinguishing and.other iluidpressure ap` paratus and systems. u The invention find Es .PATENToFI-AICE AND` OPENING n.mnlco maas oa vassnas` libert Mackenna assigner salmone, Fareham, England. f l

Vtolraviner Manufacturing Company i No. :am i

rn Great Braam June" misas* 11 clama (ci iss-28V This-invention reiatsto improved devices for stoppering and opening fluid dischargeoriflces in s particular application in connection with automatic nre protection apparatus and systems andthe object of the invention is to provide `devices contain corrosive `acids as well as under pressure and to effect automatic discharge thereof at a high rate.

Water spri nkling apparatus and apparatus adapted to otherfluitis` comprising dis- Y charge devices `capable of discharging fluid at a high rate generally incorporate valve devicjes forced onto seatings` by struts, collapsibleas the result of temperature rise. operate before a fire has spread c Such devices cannot onsiderably and are unsuitable for containing fluids of a corrosive nature` as these would corrodethe valve seatings.`

Containers for corrosive uids are therefore provided with sealing discs clamped by screw capsor soldered over the container discharge orifice `from which discharge is effected by piercing the discs with a piercing toolor plunger.

The orice producedfin the seal by suchplung` ers is invariably Vragged and tornV edge portions, may be bent across the discharge orifice by the discharging liquid. Consequently a rather slow and indeterminate rate of dischargel may be produced, Moreover the forcing through the seals of the plunger and thereturnstroke thereof until it clearsthe` discharge orifice results in a time lag orl delay betweenthe commencement of op` eration of theplunger operating mechanism and `the commencement of discharge of the fire ex` tinguishing liquid or-gas.`

The reduction of this importance in th timelag is of extreme ey case ofautomatically operating fire extinguishers for use upon aircraftin aco cidentalcrashes. burst the fuel t is` practical charge of the to carry upo `contentso! a `2in such crashes inertia forces anks or fracture thefuel pipes and a dense fuel vapour or haze is created which,` wreckage in` inguished by a size which n an aircraft. `Disflre extinguisher em-` bodying a seal piercing plungerjvouid invariablyy take place after ignitionof the petrol vapor and discharge from such A slow` to` extinguish a It is one object o stances.

devices isinany case too `fire under `such `circumf the invention to provide an improved formof stoppering and openuid containers and vessels.

ing device for 56 Another ob ject is to provide a brittle material stoppering `device for hermetically sealing fluid containers which is capable` of fracture at a se` lected point to cause or permit discharge of the contents.' i i i n further object of the invention is to provide i 5 mechanical and chemical means for opening the improved type of container stoppexing device.` i A still further object of` the invention `is to provide an improved mounting bracket for liquid containers whereby theinsertionA andremoval 1o of the container in the bracket is facilitated. i

Yet another object is toprovide improved hand operated means for eilectingdischarge `offluid containers.

Further objects of the invention are to prol5 vide fluid stoppering devices of a character which are positively prevented from leaking and which byfracture of the material are capable of effecting discharge of large volumes of lire extlnguishingliquldsinashortperiod. y t;

With the above objects `in view the invention consists in improved forms of liquid containers or water `sprinkling system` stoppering devices and certainl combinations and arrangements `of parts which will be hereinafter described and particularly recited in the claims.

With these and other objects in view, the invention will be better understoodffrom the following` detailed description taken Vin connection with lthe accompanying drawings wherein: 3

Figure 1 shows a ilre extinguisher fluid container embodying the invention. t

Figure 2 shows an explosive` element. Y i Figure 3 shows a modification of the construc` tionshowninFlgurel. i i

Figure 4i` shows a further modication of the construction shown in Figure il.: 1

Figure 5 shows one form of the invention in sectional plan. i

Figure 6 shows a side view of Figure 5 in paro tial section. i Figure 'l shows one application of the invention to sprinkler heads.

Figure 8 shows a modification of the tion shown in Figure `'I and i i Figure 9 showsanother modiiication struction shown in Figure 1. i

Figure 10 shows the elements of the lower part of Fig. 1 o n a larger scale. i

t Figure 11 is an `assembled-view showing one of my fire-extinguishingliquid containers mount-` ed in the engine compartment of an airplane. Figure 12 showsin eievationon` a larger scale certain elements of the lower part of Fig. 1 inof the concluding the tubular neck member and its stem carrying a flange.

Figure 13 shows in Ivertical section the tubular neck member and stem carrying a flange of Figure 12.

Figure 14 is a vertical sectional view as in Figure 13 showing the fuse element held in place bythe flange and retaining ring.

Figure 15 is a top plan view partly in section taken on the line |5-I5 of Figure 13.

Figure 16 is a horizontal sectional view'tken on the line IG-IG of Figure 13.

Figure 17 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line ILA-I1 of Figure 13 showing a detail of the interlocking slot in neck member I1.

Figure 18 is a view` partly in section taken on line I8-I8 of Figure 13 showing the flange rwith the container is provided with a handle for wit-h-l drawal from the mounting bracket operation.

'I'he container is provided with a cup-shaped tubular neck member 1 cast or machined from solidl material adapted to be soldered, brazed or weldedto container y2. Member 1 comprises a flange 8 secured by a stem-like projection 54 to what may be termed the bottom 55 of member 1 and forming a groove 9' between flange 8 and the bottom 55 of member 1. The stem 54 from iiange 8 is integral as shown in Figure 1 with member 1 and is of less diameter than` the bore or hole in this member so that a thin-walled rim 56 isA formedat the junction of these parts which is easily fractured by force-applying means as fracture is produced by shearing of the material, and an exceptionally large-diameter fluiddischarge orifice isproduced by such fracture for containers of this character.

and for hand Owing to the fact that member 1 and flange 8 are integral, no risk exists of corrosion or mechanical damage of the discharge orifice parts and yet flange 8 and its stem are easily fractured by ignition of a small fuse or explosive element I0 connected by leads II to a pair of spring contacts I2 of the character used as jacks in telephone apparatus and adapted to be engaged by a plug I3 as alsoused in such apparatus. Contacts I2 are conveniently carried by flange 8 and plugl I3 is secured to box 5 by a screwed sleeve.

The fuse element I0 may contain fine-grain gunpowder enclosed in a moisture-proof sleeve I4 as shown in Figure 2. Sleeve I4 contains the powder anda fuse I5 connected by insulated leads II to contacts I2 passes through a slot 60 of suitable size in flange 8. .If the sleeve and the covering of leads I I are of rubber these can be vulcanized togetherat points I6 to form a moisture-proof elef ment.

To facilitate fitting of the resilient sleeve I4 into groove 9y a ring i1 is provided for slipping over flange 8 after the leads I I have beenpositioned in the slot in flange 8, the ring being gradually worked down onto a seat I B formed in member ,1. A projection 6I from ring I4 passes into a slot 59 in fitting 1 and a screwed sleeve Il is finally screwed onto member 1 by screw threads Il over ring I1 forming a discharge nozzle for the container.

Junction box 5 is provided with a non-return resilient valve seating or washer 2l clamped to Sleeve Il is shaped box 5 by a screw cap 2|. y so as to flt into washer 20 tightly to prevent leakage of fluid during discharge'and to facilitate withdrawal of the container. An extended flange or rib 22 is formed integral with or secured upon sleeve I9 and is adapted to contact with cap 2| whereby leverage is produced for withdrawing the container from the bracket and the junction box, for example, for hand use.

To prevent escape of explosive gases groove l is lled with hard setting plastic substance and this enables a comparatively small amount of explosive substance to fracture neck 1 at the bottom of groove 8 when ignited, the orifice produced being free from ragged edges and other obstructions. Flange 8 and the stem portion forming the bottom of groove 8 is blown through sleeve I9 which is expanded at '23 to permit escape of the liquid immediately after fracture of the4 material at the bottom of groove 8. y

The container 2 is automatically connected to and disconnected from a source of igniting currents by plug I3 when containerAk 2 is inserted within and withdrawn from bracket 3. Ihe source may be an aircraft or vehicle battery controlled by a manually operated switch 8l or by a crash-operated switch 82 or by one of a number of ame or temperature sensitive switches 63.

The extinguisher is generally mounted in the cockpit in an aircraft or near the drivers seat in a vehicle. To permit hand operation a projection 24 provided'with a pip 25 of brittle material extends from member 1, a projection 26 of reduced diameter being soldered into a hole in extension 24 leaving a gap which permits fracture of the pip at projection 28. A small orice 2! is provided in pip and in extension 24 which prolongs the period of discharge of the container to permit an operator reasonable time to play the projected stream of fire-extinguishing substance upon a re.

To prevent accidental fracture of pipe 25 and at the same time to facilitate its fracture by hand when desired a sleeve 21 fits fairly tightly. but slidably, upon extension 24 and this protects parts 25 and 28. When hand operation is desired sleeve 21 is pulled forward to stop ring 28 thereby extending the overall length of the parts and providing leverage for breaking pip 25 by the fingers of one hand without appreciable effort while the extension is projecting towards a fire ready to play thereon.

Container 2'is provided with a charging plug socket 200 hermetically secured to the container wall. A plug 20| screws into the socket and a tenacious material ring 202 is soldered or sweated to the socket to hermetically close the container after charging and applying pressure to the contents.

As will b'e clear, flange 8 carrying spring contacts I2 is blown into the bottom of box 5 and the contacts usually crumple up but cushion the blow although damage may be caused to plug I3. Moreover contacts I2r may short circuit the plug and to prevent damage thereby a fuse |3I is provided in the handle of plug I3 which may or may not be blown. In any case after operation of the extinguisher the container is replaced by another charged container and a new plug I3 is amarsi;y

fitted, the discharged lcontainer being rentted with a new member 1 and `associated parte.

Figure 11 shows one `of my fire-extinguishing"4 liquidcontainers mounted in the engine compartment of an airplane il. The engine. $1

drives propeller 04, and its'c'arbureteil 58 Vis supf.

plied `with fuelby fuel line i! from fuel tankxll.

In a modification of the above described construction shown in Figure 3 a plug device IB is adapted to be screwed into the neckof `a fluid `container 2, being soldered e theretoround the upper edge at I2. A disc Il of tenacious mate-` rial is soldered, brazed or welded tothe orifice of plug `I0 projecting over a groove formed therein and housing a fuse element 34 `capable `of ignition bymeans `of plug-in pins 35. The disc `33 may be provided with a strengthening ring 3B and element 14 is preferably set in plastic substance consisting of rubber compound adapted to be slightly dissolved and setting firurily..4

Element 34 may be an explosive device but may U also be made of a material which when ignited produces suiiicient heat to soften. the soldered Joint between disc n and plug in sc that the expension of the ignited mass can force the` seal away from the discharge orifice permitting dis-` charge through nozzle Il. To permit hand operation a plunger 11 is fitted in an extension of neck ofthe containeron the other side. A plug 43 is fitted in the neck and a` fuse 44 serves to ignite material 4i. A tubular nozzle 45 fits over theneek and upon lgnitionoi'` material 4l` the thin wall becomes heated toa point enabling nut 4l to fracture the wall due` to expansion of the heating substance, plug 43 preventing contact of fluid with the wall and collapsing thereof due to pressure exerted by material 4I` when energized. The apparatus of the present invention `is of particular use in preventing outbreaks of flre in the caseof aircraft crashes. When an aircraft is subjectto animpact sufilcient to cause serious andextensive damage thereto, switch 62 operates to `close `the circuit for the battery ignlting the explosive or heat-producing charge,.to remove thestoppering devices, and to produce a `discharge oriflce'of sufficient size to permit ejectionU l ofthe contents of container 2 within l to'5` seeonds after the `moment of impact. i The apparatus also operates `automatically when a fire breaks out upon an aircraft or a vehicle if stationary or during night or movement.

In this case heat-sensitive switching device 63 closes the circuit for the battery and ignites element Iii. `If the pilot `or driver observes a fire which has not reached switches 63 he can cause operation by closure of switch 6i.

A modification of the invention ls shown in Figures 5 and in which a fluid discharge orifice Sii is fitted with a nozzle sleeve 5I adapted to forma journal support for eccentric cams 53. These cams are disposed in groove 9 and engage flange 8 when rotated by an operating` handle 54 and sever the flange and its stem from the discharge orifice.

While primarily intended for manual operation handle I4 may be actuated byany suitable' ,i form of automatic operatingmechanism when a i fire breaksout. l

The applicationof the invention to automatic sprlnklerheads is shown in Figures?. 8 and 9 in whichfnumeral "Il represents a nuid or water supply pipe to whichisfscre'wedorotherwise Ase-` cured a Vtubular memberV il` provided with a flange or disc l'I5 and groove l iltted witha' fuse or explosive-element il. Inliigures 7 and 8 the fuse or explosive element is enclosed by a sleeve `l2 carrying a pair of arms 'I3 which carry a wateri deecting device 'Il immediately above thedischarge orifice.

, 1n the case cf the construction aincicced in Figures? and 8, ignition may be effected by impact or flame and heat-sensitive switches Vover cable 1i or by direct ignition of `an inflammable cap 11 which ignites a :use connected tc eiement Iii. i i i In the construction showninFigure 8 the disc 15 may be cup-shaped or provided with flanges and when subjected to flame or heat it melts the solderedjoint by which it is secured tomember 1i. To prevent loss of heat by conductionan inemcient conductor of heat such as a cup-shaped rubber elementen is inserted in thedischarge orifice and adheslvely secured to disc 1l. To` i prevent loss of heat by conduction to pipe 1l member li is screwed thereto `by a heavily redleaded joint which preventsescape` of fluid as wellas conduction `oi? heat.

The construction disclosed in in the position shown in full linesagainst the actionof spring 8i. i e perature rise takes piace strip I! releaseshammer 80* which.` is swung' into -the position shown by dotted lines, thereby ignlting element I0 by per-` cussion cap 82. i l

One side of the explosion chamber-is formed by a ring 88 screwed onto member 1i. Strip 'il is carried by a cup-shaped cover carrying an adiusting screw 84 by `which the `temperature at `which ignition takes place can be regulated within limits. Cover may be screwed to flange t and the parts carried by the flange are removed thereby. When ignition occurs al whirling disc 85 which is mounted in the discharge nozzle pro-i` duces a spreading of the emitted fluid stream.

The sprinkler device according to the invention does not have a` valve seatand` can be operatedby extremely sensitive remote control devices or by equally sensitive `devices subject to direct influence as desired.` i Moreover by Asetting the fuse or explosive element in ahard setting, plastic compound orsubsta-nce, the active elements willremain active for very many years and, of course, no possibility of leakage of water or of chemical flreextinguishing iluid exists.

Having thus fully described my invention, what` I claim asnew and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. A stoppering device` for a `i'luld container, circumferential sides and `a disc-shaped end `to said device, a flanged stem of lesser diameter than the bore of the device secured to` said disc-shaped end, and means for severing said stem from said disc-shaped end by` shearingof the material.

2. A fluid container, a' cup shaped stoppering device herme'ically sealed in `said container, a stem provided with a flange integral in the bottom of said cup shaped device, a fuse element fitted between said flange and the cup-shaped device, a sleeve `device adapted to confine said` Y Figure9 is operl. ated by temperature rise alone, a bimetallic strip l 19 normally retaining a percussion hammer Il When a predetermined temfuse element below said flange, and means for igniting said fuse element to eieet severance of the flanged stem from the cup-shaped device. r

3. .In the combination according to claim 2, a ring tting over said flange and fuse element and secured against. rotation by engagement with said cup shaped device.

4. A fluid container, a cup-shaped stoppering device in said container, a. stem provided with a ange integral with said device, an explosive element confined below said flange, electric current leads to said element, contact members carried by said flange for said leads, and a contact plug for engaging and disengaging said contact member.V

5. A iluid container, a cup-shaped stoppering device for said container incorporating a stem and to provide leverage for withdrawing the sleeveA from the-washer.

6. A iiuid container, a cup-shaped stoppering device provided with an integral anged stem, an explosive device between said cup shaped device and anged stem, a ring surrounding said explosive device, a sleeve secured to said cup-shaped device and enclosing said ring and explosive device, a mounting bracket for said container, a

junction box upon said mounting bracket, ank

outlet from said junction box, an inlet to said .iunction box, a resilient washer secured by a screw cap in said inlet, a flange onvsaid sleeve, and an abutment for said ange on said junction box.

7. In the combination according to claim 6, spring contacts carrying leads for said explosive device and mounted upon said hanged stem, a contact plug secured in said junction box engageably with said spring contacts, an electric igniting current source, and circuits comprising switch control means connecting said source to said plug.

8. A container, a cup-shapedstoppering device in said container, a tubular extension from said device, a frangible pip secured in said extension, and means for severing said pip to produce a vdischarge orice in said stoppering device.

9. In the combination according to claim 8, a

protecting sleeve ltted upon said tubular exten` sion,fand means for pulling said sleeve onto said frangible pip to facilitate its fracture.

10. In a craft, a power unit, a tire-extinguishing fluid container, a cup-shaped stopperlng device in said container comprising an integral closure portion adapted when severed from said device to provide an outlet from the interior of said device, means for severing said integral portion of saidcup shapeddevice, and means for conducting re-extinguishing uid from said container to said power unit.

'.1. In a craft, a power unit, a nre-extinguishing iiuid container, a cup-shaped stoppering device in said container, a flanged integral stem in said cup-shaped device, an explosive element positioned between said flanged stem and said cupshaped element, means for confining said explosive element below said flange, automatic means for igniting said explosive element to sever said flanged stem to produce an orifice in said cup-shaped member, and means for conducting fire extinguishing iiuid from said cup-shaped member to said power unit.

12. In astoppering device for a iiuid container, a tubular member secured to said container, a anged closure element for said member hermetically secured thereover, an abutment associated with said tubular member and forming with the ilange upon said element a groove near the end of said member, and means disposed in said groove for severing said closure member from said tubular member.

13. In a stoppering device for a fluid container, an integral cup-shaped element hermetically secured to said fluid container, a shoulder formed on the closed end of' said element, said shoulder having a terminal angeforming a groove with said element, and means disposed in said groove for severing said shoulder from the end of said element to vproduce an orifice therein.

14. In a stoppering device for a uid container, an integral cup-shaped element secured to said container, a flanged shoulder formed on the closed end of said element and being of less diameter than the bore of said cup-shaped element, the integral rim portion of the closed end of said cupshaped element intermediate the longitudinal surface thereof and said shoulder being relatively thin, and means for fracturing said rim portion in shear.

15. A stoppering device for uid containers comprising in combination, an integral cupshaped element hermetically secured to said container, the closed end of 'said cup-shaped element being recessedl to form a shoulder portion, a projecting iiange formed on said shoulder portion and forming with said element a groove, explosive substance positioned in said groove, means for retaining said substance in said groove, and means for ignlting said substance to sever the iianged shoulder from the end of said element to produce an orifice therein. y

16. A discharge device for iiuid containers comprising in combination, a cup-shaped element secured to said container, a flanged shoulder formed on the closed end of said element and forming with said element a groove, a sleeve device secured to said element and enclosing said groove, means in said groove for severing said shoulder from the closed end of said cup-shaped elementto produce an orifice therein, and means for conducting the fluid from said orice to a point of utilization.

17. A tubular :duid discharge member having a terminal shoulder portion, a stem projecting from and centrally attached to said shoulder portion and readily separable therefrom, said stem being provided with a terminal ange, an explosive element surrounding said stem and retained between said shoulder and said flange, means for igniting said explosive element, and iluid stream deiiecting means disposed in the path of the jet of liquid discharged from said discharge member when said stem is separated from said discharge member. v

HUBERT MACKENZIE SALMOND. 

